The Hawaiian gazette., 1887-11-15
rPphlishea Nv renuest Of $. 81

erectlNely prevented the extension OF the
principle of International interference for
the sake of maintaining political equilibrium
10 America. Since that time the combiua-
tom Of European States instituted by the
treaty of Vienna in 1915 has been somewhat
modified. Germany, through its successive
wars With Denmark, Austria and France,
and lis resulting consolidation, has out
stripped sill Of Its rivals, and by its prepon-
deraune military strength, threatens the
peace of Europe, and compels war prepare
lions on the part of its neighbors, which are
ruiuously expansive, but which NAV be said
TO be necessary under the circumstances. and
which have had the effect OF putting of or
preventing still more rainously expensive
war.
The development OF commercial and manu-
featuring interests among the Continental
States OF Europe, and the resulting tendency
% establish colonies and trading stations all
over the world, whereby their vulnerability
mas been increased. has definitely lessened
the old time readiness with which these
nations have been accustomed to attack each
other.
In 1876, President woolsey, of Yale Col
lsCe, wrote, IN referring to the right of inter
yentOn TO prevent a disturbance of the
balance Of power, Commercial growth, colo
nal growth IN remote parts, furnish little
ground Cor apprehension" Since that time
events bearing upon matters of commercial
and colonial growth have occurred with
great rapidity. and have materially modified
SGle aspect of the question of the application
Il the balance of power principle. England
had Just annexed Fiji at the time Wuolsey
stated the above quoted conclusion, but had
made no material progress III occupying the
country or administering the government,
and IN 1884 she annexed the southern part of
New Guinea, outside of the Dutch pos
sessions, q territory of about $1,000 square
miles IN extent, and one-hslf of the solomon
Il - ha asr,+ Of
New Guinea, and l. 1856, she annexed the
hermadec Islands, northeast of New Zea-
land: the extension of her sway over
Egypt, ana later over Burmah, are fresh in
the minds of all. In 1850, France annexed
Tahiti and three adjacent islands and three
Islands of the AuStral group, over which she
had held a protectorate since 1912, aud
hoistei the French flag over the till then
independent Island of Raistea, and has held
II ever since; and IN 1856 or 1886 she seized
the New nebrideS Islands. and has con
tinued her possession OF them to the present
time, IN the face of much opposition from
England and her colonies, and her encroach-
ments in IonQuin and Madagascar have
been affairs Of a late period. In the year
1854, following the Initiative Of lis mer-
chants, who were conducting the larger part
Of the trade of the South Sea Islands Ger
many made new departure IL her national
policy, and annexed the northern part OF
New Guinea, outside of the Dutch pos
sessions, region Of $500 square miles in
extent, and this in the face of quasi claim
Of the British Government to the whole of
New Guinea outside Of the Dutch portion.
and It's proposition 10 Germany to open
negotiations relative 10 the desire of the
latter to obtain a foothold on that island.
This action of the German Government
caused irritation in the English Foreign
Office and great excitement IN the Australian
COlOCIes. By subsequent agreement between
IL IL
living east Of New Guinea, were divided be-
tween those Powers. England taking the
southern part and Germany the northern,
and as part Of this arrangement both Eng
land and Germany conceded to Spain the
control Of the Caroline and Beisw Islands,
and agreed upon certain limitations and
concessions whereby Germany acquired the
Marshall Islands and the archipelago north
Of New Guinea. including New Ireland, New
Britain and the Admiralty Islands. and
England was relieved Of Germaaic political
influence over that large part Of the south
western Pacific which includes the Eijian.
IOnSan, Samoan. New Hebrides and Gilbert
Island groups. The United States have &C
CURED the fine harbor of Pagopsco in the
Samoan Islands. and the whole group may
be said TO be nov in the hands of English,
German and American diplomats, who are
oSte1sibly trying to agree upon form OF
government which VIII be satisfactory TO all
parties concerned. that Is England, Ger
many, the United States and the SamoanS,
with their two kings. Besides these move
uents. l need only refer to the great activity
which has prevailed among European Gov
ernments IN seeking 10 obtain footholdS IN
the newly explored part OF Africa, as bases
Tor commercial and perhaps colonial extern
sion, and TO the great eheertulness with
which Italy embarked IN the uncertain
chances Of Egyptian interference, and the
French acquisition of runis, 70 complete
the showing that Mr.. Woolsey's conclusions
OF eleven years ago are already or viii soon
become lnapplicabie.
The fact alone of the German, English
and Spanish understanding, which / think
NAV b. called a treaty for the purpose Of
this paper. taken with the movements lead
ING up 10 j. as above set forth, IS strong
testimony that the principle Of the balance
Of power has already been extended from
Europe 70 the Pacific Ocean. and that new
departure IN European politics has taken
place.
The enthusiasm Of discovery Of 8 century
eco Is being followed by an enthusiasm Of
ac1uirsmsnt The world now being all dis
covered and defined on the charts, does not
seem so extensive as It did then, when
men were ignorant of Its limits and re-
sources and imagination had full sway.
The Great Powers OF Continental Europe.
who would keep up with England fast
moving empire, and the rapid develop
G1Elr OF he ulLllLa4 skEElEAl u AlE llLc4
States Of America must acquire navles, ceYel-
op their foreign trade and obtain territory Tor
expansion these objects can only be salts
tactorIiy attained by acquiring foothold III
The islands Of the sea. IN the continents OF
Asia aud Afrlca-anywhere IN short. where
rle existing rights are those Of tribes and
clans without diplomatic relations Ihls Is
being done. as We have seen, and with all the
more haste. undoubtedly, from the conpar-
ativelv limited extent Of this kind Of TERRITORY
remaining unclaimed: the Pacific OCEAN has
been starked of upon very definite under
standing between three powers; central
Africa is IN the hands OF the diplomats,
England and Russia are steadily extending
their dominion in Asia upon private issue
of balance Of power between each other.
Might makes right and self defense Is ma
lures first law the conclusion Is irresistible
70 me that the European powers have al
ready come TO regard the whole world out
side of America and each others colonial
possessions rs legitimate field of conquest.
and that the greater part OF tue division
49, better will be for